An analysis of phase angle and standard phase angle cut-off values and their association with survival in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to identify the cutoff values for phase angle (PA) and standard phase angle (SPA) parameters, as determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), for predicting malnutrition and investigating their association with overall survival in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy.

METHODS

In this study, nutritional assessment and follow-up of HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) between November 2017 and September 2022 were assessed. Nutritional assessment, body composition (BC), and PA results obtained from BIA (Tanita MC-980) were retrospectively evaluated. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis. The results were evaluated at a confidence interval of 95% and a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients, including 37 (70%) men and 16 (30%) women, with a median age of 60 (23-87 years) were included. The median follow-up time was 51 (range 24-59) months. The mean PA of the patients was calculated as 4.99° (±0.92, 95% CI: 4.74-5.25). The PA of patients with malnutrition (4.66° ± 0.87) was lower than that of well-nourished patients (5.71° ± 0.56) (p < 0.001). As a result of the ROC analysis based on this finding, the ideal PA cut-off point for determining the presence of malnutrition was found to be 5.65, with a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 79%, accuracy of 83%, and a model discrimination power of excellent level (AUC: 85%, p < 0.001). The median overall survival time of the patients was calculated as 51 months (24-59 months). The mortality rate during the follow-up period was 13%, while the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the patients were 96.1%, 89.3%, and 86.8%, respectively. Patients with SPA values less than -1.65 had a 5-year overall survival rate of 77.4%, while those with SPA values greater than or equal to -1.65 had a 5-year overall survival rate of 100% (p = 0.030) CONCLUSION: Our study recommends using PA and SPA as standard criteria for detecting malnutrition in HNC patients undergoing RT, with cut-off points of 5.65 and -1.65 respectively, to prevent treatment interruptions and improve outcomes. Further research is needed to validate the SPA cut-off value and its relationship with clinical outcomes, as SPA may be a more effective predictor of malnutrition and overall survival than PA alone.

Preliminary findings of German-sourced ONC201 treatment in H3K27 altered pediatric pontine diffuse midline gliomas

PURPOSE

H3K27 altered pediatric pontine diffuse midline gliomas (pDMG) have a poor prognosis, and conventional treatments offer limited benefits. However, recent advancements in molecular evaluations and targeted therapies have shown promise. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of German-sourced ONC201, a selective antagonist of dopamine receptor DRD2, for the treatment of pediatric H3K27 altered pDMGs.

METHODS

Pediatric patients with H3K27 altered pDMG treated between January 2016 and July 2022 were included in this retrospective analysis. Tissue samples were acquired from all patients via stereotactic biopsy for immunohistochemistry and molecular profiling. All patients received radiation treatment with concurrent temozolomide, and those who could acquire GsONC201 received it as a single agent until progression. Patients who could not obtain GsONC201 received other chemotherapy protocols.

RESULTS

Among 27 patients with a median age of 5.6 years old (range 3.4-17.9), 18 received GsONC201. During the follow-up period, 16 patients (59.3%) had progression, although not statistically significant, the incidence of progression tended to be lower in the GsONC201 group. The median overall survival (OS) of the GsONC201 group was considerably longer than of the non-GsONC201 group (19.9 vs. 10.9 months). Only two patients receiving GsONC201 experienced fatigue as a side effect. 4 out of 18 patients in the GsONC201 group underwent reirradiation after progression.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study suggests that GsONC201 may improve OS in pediatric H3K27-altered pDMG patients without significant side effects. However, caution is warranted due to retrospective design and biases, highlighting the need for further randomized clinical studies to validate these findings.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Medically Inoperable Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed gynecological cancer among women aged 50 and older in developed countries. In patients who are not amenable to surgery, radiotherapy results in improved survival with acceptable adverse effect profiles. Definitive stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a monotherapy remains an unaddressed concept in the literature. Here, we present the case of an 86-year-old woman who was diagnosed with early-stage endometrial carcinoma and was medically inoperable due to cardiac comorbidities. She was treated with magnetic resonance imaging-guided online adaptive radiotherapy-based SBRT. She tolerated the treatment well, with mild increased vaginal discharge. Complete metabolic and radiological responses were obtained. She continues to be disease free in the first year of treatment with no long-term side effects. Our protocol presents promising results with a safe toxicity profile for inoperable early-stage endometrial cancer. Future studies are warranted in light of the current knowledge.

Dosimetric evaluation of VMAT and helical tomotherapy techniques comparing conventional volumes with clinical target volumes based on new ESTRO ACROP post-mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction contouring guidelines

Background

The ESTRO-ACROP Consensus Guideline (EACG) recommends implant excluded clinical target volume (CTVp) definitions for post-mastectomy radiation therapy after implant-based immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Helical Tomotherapy (HTp) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMATp) treatment techniques in terms of CTVp coverage and reduced organ at risk (OAR), normal tissue and implant doses when CTVp was used for treatment planning as the target structure instead of conventional CTV.

Methods

Eight left-sided and eight right-sided breast cancer patients who underwent IBR after mastectomy were included in this study. Planning CT data sets were acquired during free breathing and patients were treated with HT technique targeted to conventional CTV. Retrospectively, CTVp was delineated based on EACG by the same radiation oncologist, and treatment plans with HTp and VMATp techniques were generated based on CTVp. For each patient, relevant dosimetric parameters were obtained from three different treatment plans.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference on target coverage in terms of, PTVp-D95, PTVp-Vpres, homogeneity index (p > 0.05) between HTp and VMATp plans. But, the conformity numbers were significantly higher (HTp vs VMATp, 0.69 ± 0.15 vs 0.79 ± 0.12) for VMATp (Z = − 2.17, p = 0.030). While HTp significantly lowered Dmax and Dmean for LAD (LAD-D_max: χ² = 12.25, p = 0.002 and LAD-D_mean: χ² = 12.30, p = 0.002), neither HTp nor VMATp could reduce maximum and mean dose to heart (p > 0.05). Furthermore, heart volume receiving 5 Gy was significantly higher for VMATp when compared to HTp (21.2 ± 9.8 vs 42.7 ± 24.8, p: 0.004). Both techniques succeeded in reducing the mean dose to implant (HTp vs HT, p < 0.001; VMATp vs HT, p < 0.001; VMATp vs HTp, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Both HTp and VMATp techniques succeeded to obtain conformal and homogeneous dose distributions within CTVp while reducing the mean implant dose. HTp was found to be superior to VMATp with regards to lowering all OAR doses except for CB.

Coronaphobia: A barrier to ongoing cancer treatment?

Introduction

Increased stress levels caused by the pandemic might cause delays in cancer treatment. We conducted a survey among cancer patients undergoing treatment to evaluate their psychological wellbeing and treatment adherence during Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic.

Material and Methods

Patients receiving active chemotherapy at a private oncology center between January and May 2021 were included. Healthy volunteers were employees of a district health directorate with no history of cancer or chronic disease. Treatment adherence was described as compliant if the prescribed treatment was received within a week and the information was gained from patient charts. Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and COVID‐19 phobia scale (CP19‐S) were administered to participants.

Results

402 participants were included; 193 (48%) were cancer patients. The mean age of the participants was 44 years old and 68% of the participants were female. All participants' CP19‐S mean score was 47.9. Patient group had significantly lower CP19‐S (p = 0.006). Chronic disease and history of a shocking event were the factors associated with CP19‐S. All participants reporting hospital anxiety were found to have significantly higher COVID‐19 phobia levels (p < 0.05). Patients' mean HADS‐anxiety score was significantly higher (7.3 vs. 6.5, p = 0.027). COVID‐19 phobia was an independent factor increasing the level of anxiety and depression in both groups. Adherence to treatment was 100%.

Conclusion

The pandemic increased levels of anxiety, however, cancer treatment continued to be a priority in patients' lives. Strategies should be developed to support oncology patients cope with the pandemic and increase their courage to avoid treatment delays.

Identifying Knowledge and Practices regarding Cancer Patient Malnutrition: A Survey Study among Oncologists

Malnutrition is one of the most common complications of cancer and its treatments with a prevalence of up to 80% among cancer patients. Thus, standardized and target-oriented attitudes of oncologists toward nutritional management are particularly important. This study aims to report the questionnaire-based evaluation of different views toward medical nutrition among medical and radiation oncologists with the purpose to underline the problems and requirements of cancer nutrition. A national web-based survey composed of 26 multiple choice questions about participant demographics, level of knowledge about cancer nutrition, and approaches to malnutrition were completed by 247 oncologists. The survey was answered by a total of 247 (34%) radiation and medical oncologists. The majority of the oncologists (77%) were working at the University Hospitals and Education & Research Hospitals. Most of them were specialists with 5-10 years of experience. Nutritional status was routinely assessed in oncology units of 84% of (206) oncologists. However, only 50% reported nutritional evaluation follow-ups without waiting for a patient's declaration and 5 (2%) oncologists reported the absence of nutritional evaluation in their unit. Additionally, more than 79% of participants reported that their knowledge was not enough about enteral and parenteral nutrition while 8% were skeptical about the benefits of medical nutrition. Although the role of nutrition as an essential part of cancer care is widely recognized, the availability of limited high-quality evidence, problems of accessibility, lack of routine nutritional evaluation, and varying indicators for malnutrition are some of the problems preventing standardized nutritional management. Therefore, there are a variety of approaches and barriers to the implementation of guidelines. Further studies are needed to identify areas of improvement, as well as strategies to implement nutritional therapy in cancer care.

Does Integrative Medicine Reduce Prescribed Opioid Use for Chronic Pain? A Systematic Literature Review

Background

Chronic pain (CP) is a major public health problem. Many patients with CP are increasingly prescribed opioids, which has led to an opioid crisis. Integrative medicine (IM), which combines pharmacological and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), has been proposed as an opioid alternative for CP treatment. Nevertheless, the role of CAM therapies in reducing opioid use remains unclear.

Objectives

To explore the effectiveness of the IM approach or any of the CAM therapies to reduce or cease opioid use in CP patients.

Methods

An online search of MEDLINE and Embase, CINAHL, PubMed supp., and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) for studies published in English from inception until February 15, 2018, was conducted. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to critically appraise selected studies.

Results

The electronic search yielded 5,200 citations. Twenty-three studies were selected. Eight studies were randomized controlled trials, seven were retrospective studies, four studies were prospective observational, three were cross-sectional, and one was quasi-experimental. The majority of the studies showed that opioid use was reduced significantly after using IM. Cannabinoids were among the most commonly investigated approaches in reducing opioid use, followed by multidisciplinary approaches, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and acupuncture. The majority of the studies had limitations related to sample size, duration, and study design.

Conclusions

There is a small but defined body of literature demonstrating positive preliminary evidence that the IM approach including CAM therapies can help in reducing opioid use. As the opioid crisis continues to grow, it is vital that clinicians and patients be adequately informed regarding the evidence and opportunities for IM/CAM therapies for CP.

Tumor-stage mycosis fungoides of the vulva successfully treated with local low-dose radiotherapy

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. According to the proposed guidelines for MF, skin-directed therapies are the treatment of choice for patients with limited stage disease. We present a case of early-stage MF, who progressed to tumor-stage MF during the postpartum period, showing a solitary ulcerated tumor on the vulva, which was successfully treated with local response-based, low-dose radiotherapy.

Comparison of 3D dose distributions for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy sources with normoxic polymer gel dosimetry and treatment planning system

Radiation fluence changes caused by the dosimeter itself and poor spatial resolution may lead to lack of 3-dimensional (3D) information depending on the features of the dosimeter and quality assurance of dose distributions for high-dose rate (HDR) iridium-192 ((192)Ir) brachytherapy sources is challenging and experimental dosimetry methods used for brachytherapy sources are limited. In this study, we investigated 3D dose distributions of (192)Ir brachytherapy sources for irradiation with single and multiple dwell positions using a normoxic gel dosimeter and compared them with treatment planning system (TPS) calculations. For dose calibration purposes, 100-mL gel-containing vials were irradiated at predefined doses and then scanned in an magnetic resonance (MR) imaging unit. Gel phantoms prepared in 2 spherical glasses were irradiated with (192)Ir for the calculated dwell positions, and MR scans of the phantoms were obtained. The images were analyzed with MATLAB software. Dose distributions and profiles derived with 1-mm resolution were compared with TPS calculations. Linearity was observed between the delivered dose and the reciprocal of the T2 relaxation time constant of the gel. The x-, y-, and z-axes were defined as the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes, respectively, the sagittal and axial planes were defined parallel to the long axis of the source while the coronal plane was defined horizontally to the long axis of the source. The differences between measured and calculated profile widths of 3-cm source length and point source for 70%, 50%, and 30% isodose lines were evaluated at 3 dose levels using 18 profiles of comparison. The calculations for 3-cm source length revealed a difference of > 3mm in 1 coordinate at 50% profile width on the sagittal plane and 3 coordinates at 70% profile width and 2 coordinates at 50% and 30% profile widths on the axial plane. Calculations on the coronal plane for 3-cm source length showed > 3-mm difference in 1 coordinate at 50% and 70% and 2 coordinates at 30% profile widths. The point source measurements and calculations for 50% profile widths revealed a difference > 3mm in 1 coordinate on the sagittal plane and 2 coordinates on the axial plane. The doses of 3 coordinates on the sagittal plane and 4 coordinates on the axial plane could not be evaluated in 30% profile width because of low doses. There was good agreement between the gel dosimetry and TPS results. Gel dosimetry provides dose distributions in all 3 planes at the same time, which enables us to define the dose distributions in any plane with high resolution. It can be used to obtain 3D dose distributions for HDR (192)Ir brachytherapy sources and 3D dose verification of TPS.

Clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients with breast cancer and a second non-breast primary tumor

e11539

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients with breast cancer (BC) who had a non-breast primary tumor and treated in our hospital. Methods: We identified BC patients with a second non-breast primary tumor retrospectively in our database. The tumors arising in a sequence by less than 2 months are accepted as synchronous malignancies. We noted clinical and pathological characteristics of breast tumors and analyzed the relapse patterns, the frequency and type of second non-breast primary tumors. Results: A total of 48 patients were identified. Median age was 59 years old. Thirty-four patients were postmenopausal, 41 tumors were IDC, 2 were DCIS only, eight were multiffocal. Two patients had metastatic BC at the time of diagnosis. Ninety-three (n: 26) % patients had breast conserving surgery, 2 had bilateral BC. Twenty-eight patients had node negative disease, 12 had node positive disease and 2 had micrometatatic nodal involvement. Fifty-four % were T1, 31% were T2 tumors. Histological grade was 3 for 14, 2 for 15 and 1 for 7 breast tumors. Forty patients had ER positive disease, 4 had ER/ PR negative disease, 2 tumors were triple negative and 6 tumors were Her-2 positive. Among non-breast second primary tumors; 29 arose after, 11 arose before the diagnosis of BC and 8 arose synchronously with BC. The most common non-breast second primary tumors were as follows: 15% lung cancer, 20% colorectal cancers, 13% ovarian cancer, 10% thyroid cancer, and 8% lymphoma/leukemia. With a median follow up of 76 months, there were 6 relapses; 4 of them were BC relapses. Among these 4 BC relapses, 3 patients had brain metastases and one patient had bone metastasis. There were 4 deaths; 2 were due to BC metastases, one was due to rectal cancer metastasis and the other was due to relapse of sarcoma. Conclusions: Most breast tumors were at early stage and were hormone sensitive. The most common second non-breast primary tumors arising after diagnosis of BC were colorectal, thyroid and lung cancers. The most common second non-breast tumor arising synchronously with BC was lung cancer and the most common second non-breast tumor arising before diagnosis of BC was lymphoma/leukemia.

Does pelvic lymph nodes irradiation using intensity modulated radiation therapy increase rectal and bladder toxicities in patients with prostate carcinoma?

PURPOSE

this study compared the radiation-related rectal (R) and bladder (B) toxicities in prostate carcinoma patients receiving additional pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) irradiation with those receiving prostate (P) and seminal vesicle (SV) irradiation only.

METHODS

thirty-three patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were included. RT doses ranged between 60- 66.6 Gy to SV, 74-77.7 Gy to P and 50.4- 60 Gy to PLN. Max acute R toxicity was graded by a physician according to the RTOG side effect criteria during the period from the initiation of therapy until the end of the third month. Max late R and B toxicities were graded 3 months after the completion of RT by a physician using the RTOG GI and urogenital toxicity score and by patients using EORTC QLQ - PR25 self questionnaire separately. The effects of R and B doses and additional PLN irradiation on acute and late R and B toxicities and compatibility of patient- and physician-graded toxicity scores were investigated. RTOG GI and urogenital toxicity scores and EORTC QLQ - PR25 self questionnaire results were correlated.

RESULTS

significant factors for acute R toxicity were: max R; R volume receiving ≥ 68 Gy; and PLN irradiation. PLN irradiation was marginally significant for late R toxicity; the mean B dose was a significant factor for late B toxicity.

CONCLUSION

the results of this study suggest that although PLN irradiation increased acute R toxicity, it has no effect on late R and B toxicity. Patient- and physician-evaluated late R and B toxicity scores were concordant.

A clinical comparison of patient setup and intra-fraction motion using frame-based radiosurgery versus a frameless image-guided radiosurgery system for intracranial lesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A comparison of patient positioning and intra-fraction motion using invasive frame-based radiosurgery with a frameless X-ray image-guided system utilizing a thermoplastic mask for immobilization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Overall system accuracy was determined using 57 hidden-target tests. Positioning agreement between invasive frame-based setup and image-guided (IG) setup, and intra-fraction displacement, was evaluated for 102 frame-based SRS treatments. Pre and post-treatment imaging was also acquired for 7 patients (110 treatments) immobilized with an aquaplast mask receiving fractionated IG treatment.

RESULTS

The hidden-target tests demonstrated a mean error magnitude of 0.7mm (SD=0.3mm). For SRS treatments, mean deviation between frame-based and image-guided initial positioning was 1.0mm (SD=0.5mm). Fusion failures were observed among 3 patients resulting in aberrant predicted shifts. The image-guidance system detected frame slippage in one case. The mean intra-fraction shift magnitude observed for the BRW frame was 0.4mm (SD=0.3mm) compared to 0.7mm (SD=0.5mm) for the fractionated patients with the mask system.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall system accuracy is similar to that reported for invasive frame-based SRS. The intra-fraction motion was larger with mask-immobilization, but remains within a range appropriate for stereotactic treatment. These results support clinical implementation of frameless radiosurgery using the Novalis Body Exac-Trac system.